Method and apparatus for exchanging tubes on textile machines



Feb. 6, 1968 sc 3,367,098

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EXCHANGING TUBES ON TEXTILE MACHINES Filed Dec. 17, 1965 INVENTOR GCQNTER, SCHLLLL BY MM ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,367,098 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EXCHANGING TUBES 0N TEXTILE MACHINES Giinter Schulz, Ebersbach (Fils), Germany, assignor to Firma Zinser Textiimaschinen GmbIrL, Ebersbach (Fils), Germany Filed Dec. 17, 1965, Ser. No. 514,574 Claims priority, application Germany, Dec. 19, 1964, Z 11,23 16 Claims. (Q3. 57--52) ABSTRACT UP THE DISCLOSURE A gripping device for the acquisition and release of bobbin tubes mounted on spindles of a textile machine, such as spinning or twisting machines having at least one expandable bag-like pressure element supported by means capable of effecting insertion thereof into an end of said bobbin tube mounted on a spindle and supply means for selectively supplying pressure fluid to said element for effecting expansion thereof to grip said bobbin tube.

The present invention relates in general to means for removing bobbins wound on tubes mounted on rotatable spindles or textiles machines such as spinning or twisting machines having winding means and their replacement by empty tubes for the winding of additional bobbins. The invention is more particularly related to gripping devices for engaging the tubes upon which the bobbins are wound and also the empty tubes which are to replace the full bobbins in such a way as to greatly facilitate the removal and conveyance of these tubes and to a method of operation thereof.

In certain known methods and apparatus for replacing full bobbins by empty tubes, the empty tubes and the full tubes are gripped by an individual gripping device and removed from their respective locations; the empty tubes are then placed on the spindle and then the full tubes are placed on a conveyor belt. In a copending application Ser. No. 514,575 filed Dec. 17, 1965, in the name of Giinter Schulz and Wolfgang Igel, and assigned to a common assignee herewith, there is disclosed a method and apparatus for removing bobbins wound on tubes from a series of parallel spindles of textile machines such as a spinning or a twisting machine by utilizing a tube gripping means to place the removed bobbins on a row of receiving means having the same spacing as the arrangement of spindles on the textile machine, and using the same tube gripping means that is used for removing the full bobbins to place empty bobbins tubes on the spindles. The present invention consists of an improved bobbin tube gripping device which may, for example, be utilized with the apparatus disclosed in the above mentioned copending application.

Known gripper constructions for use in acquiring, conveying and releasing bobbin tubes on textile machines are of generally complicated construction and are capable of exerting only relatively small clamping forces upon the bobbin tube, which forces are very often insuflicient to properly effect a removal of the full bobbin tubes due to their size and weight. Such grippers have taken the form of expandable members actuated by electromagnetically controlled linkages. In order to obviate these disadvantagcs, it is proposed according to the present invention, that the gripper element be provided as a cylinder made from elastic material and capable of being expanded by the introduction of hydraulic or pneumatic pressure into the interior thereof. In this manner, by introduction of the gripper element at least partially into the open end of the bobbin tube and subsequent application of pressure thereto, the gripper element will undergo a transverse ice expansion within the bobbin tube until a firm clamping between tube and element is effected.

In addition, the gripper element in accordance with the instant invention comprises an axial pressure portion having a pressure surface which is adapted to exert an axial pressure on the spindle or bobbin tube support member. Due to this axial pressure supplied by the gripper element, the bobbin tube may be removed from the tube carrier in such a way that the transverse pressure supplied by the gripper element need only compensate for the net weight of the bobbin tube. In this way, the unnecessarily high pressure forces heretofore required to insure proper gripping of the gripper element with the inside bobbin tube surface can be eliminated without danger of inadvertent release of the bobbin tube by the gripper element prior to its actual removal to the bobbin conveyor or carrier.

It is an object of the instant invention to provide a gripper element construction for use with an apparatus for automatically replacing bobbin tubes on textile machinery, which construction overcomes or otherwise substantially eliminates the disadvantages of known devices of a similar kind.

It is another object of the instant invention to provide a gripper element construction as herein described providing a simplified structural arrangement as compared to known similar devices and which is extremely simple to manipulate and requires less force upon the bobbin tube for proper and safe removal thereof.

It is a further object of the instant invention to provide a gripper element construction as herein described which is more economical to manufacture, and is more efiicient and versatile in operation.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the instant invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the construction thereof when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which show various features of the invention, and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a partial cross-sectional view through one embodiment of a gripping device according to the present invention during initial operation wherein the gripping device is inserted into the open end of the bobbin tube;

FIGURE 2 is a partial cross-sectional view similar to FIGURE 1 showing the gripping device fully inserted into the end of the bobbin tube;

FIGURE 3 is a partial cross-sectional view similar to FIGURE 1 wherein the gripping device is fully inserted into the open end of the bobbin tube and has been expanded in accordance with the instant invention to firmly contact the bobbin tube; and

FIGURE 4 is a partial cross-sectional view similar to that of FIGURE 1 wherein the manner in which axial pressure is applied to the bobbin tube support by the gripping device is illustrated.

In the drawings, like reference numerals have been used to designate similar elements in the several views wherever possible so as to facilitate an understanding of the various novel features of the instant invention.

FIGURES 1-4 illustrate a gripper element according to the present invention in four different working positions thereof. In each of the figures a gripper support 40 which carries a plurality of like gripper elements is carried by a control slide and support assembly of an automatic tube exchanging device, such as described in the aforementioned copending patent application of Giinter Schulz and Wolfgang Igel. The gripper elements in accordance with the instant invention comprise a plug 108 provided with a threaded end portion 111 which engages in a suitable aperture in a slide member 54, forming part of the support assembly of the tube exchanging apparatus, and capable of movement along the length of support 40 by suitable means (not shown). The plug 108 is provided with an axial through-aperture 110 which communicates with an interior chamber 100 of the slide 54.

Secured to the other end of the plug 108 in a fluidtight manner, for example, by glueing, opposite the threaded end 111 is an elastic bag 106, which is made of a suitable resilient material, preferably plastic or rubber. The bag 106 is mounted over a reduced portion of the plug 108 and is then permanently secured in place by a ring 125 which serves as a clamping ring and also is provided with a collar 9 which serves as a reference surface outside of the bag for determining the lower edge of the plug 108.

The elastic bag 106 is provided with two surface por tions which perform diverse tasks in the acquisition and removal of full bobbin tubes from the spindles of the spinning or twisting machine. The bag is first provided with a cylindrical expandable part 140 which forms a transverse pressure member capable of engaging with the inner surface of the bobbin tube at the open end thereof thereby gripping the tube sufliciently to support the weight thereof for transporting it from the spindle to a conveyor for further removal. The bag is also provided with a conically shaped end part 141 which serves, in the manner to be described more completely hereinafter, as a means of exerting axial pressure on the spindle itself, so as to aid in the removal of the full bobbin tube from the spindle.

I11 each of FIGURES l4 there is illustrated in conjunction with the gripping device of the instant invention, a textile spindle 14 upon which is positioned a conventional bobbin tube 53 having a full bobbin of yarn 101 wound thereon. The diameter of the bag 106 as clearly evident from FIGURE 1, is dimensioned slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the standard bobbin tube 58 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention; however, the bag diameter may also be slightly larger than the diameter of the tube provided that in the unpressurized condition the bag may still be inserted into the end of the bobbin tube Without considerable difficulty.

The inside space 122 of the bag 106 is connected by way of the through-aperture 110 in the plug 108 with the inner recess or duct 100 in the slide 54, and compressed air is preferably provided as a pressure medium for expanding the bag 106 by way of this duct 100. Of course, any other pressure fluid, for example, hydraulic fluid, may also be used instead of compressed air without departing from the spirit and scope of the instant invention. The means for producing, admitting and controlling the degree of pressure fluid which is applied via the duct 100 to the bag 106 is of conventional form and need not be described or illustrated herein to provide a clear understanding of the invention.

The operation of the tube gripping device in accordance with the instant invention is now described with reference to FIGS. 2-4. As shown in FIG. 2, for removing a bobbin tube, the gripping element is inserted into the open end of the tube 58 carrying a completed bobbin 101, that is to say, into the space above the top of the textile spindle 14 within the hollow interior or the tube 58. The bag is inserted until the collar 109 abuts the top of the tube 58, as shown in FIG. 2, so that the end face 131 of the bag is pushed inwardly somewhat by the conical end 103. of the spindle 14. As shown in FIG. 3, upon introduction of air or pressure fluid into the bag via the through-aperture 110 in the plug 108, the lateral portion of the bag 140 is caused to expand against the bore of the tube 58 until a suflicient gripping pressure is produced between the bag and the interior surface of the tube 58 to permit the gripping device to support the weight of the tube and full bobbin. However, after this expansion has taken place to a degree necessary to effect gripping, the pressure within the bag causes the end face 141 to exert a pressure on the top of the spindle thereby effecting an axial thrust between the gripping device and the stationary spindle 14 to cause the tube 58 with the full bobbin 101 thereon to be drawn upwards off of the spindle. By then moving the support slide 54 upwardly, the tube may be entirely removed from the spindle. In disposing of the tube, a removal of the fluid pressure will produce a release of clamping action.

Preferably, the transverse force provided by the gripping device and the axial pressure provided thereby are produced simultaneously, but due to the construction of the gripping device, the axial pressure will reach an effective level only after the transverse pressure has reached a level necessary to produce firm clamping. In some cases, it may be advantageous to provide two separate chambers within the gripping element which can be filled with fluid under pressure separately so that when the first chamber is pressurized the bore of the tube is gripped and only when the second chamber is put under pressure is the axial thrust exerted on top of the spindle. In this way, the action of the gripping device is effected in a sequence of steps which insures that the lifting of the bobbin tube from the spindle is not initiated until a proper gripping is effected between the outer surface of the bag and the inner surface of the bobbin tube.

In order to improve the gripping characteristics of the bag on the bore of the tube 58, the lateral portion of the bag can be provided with a roughened outer surface. Furthermore, the outer Wall of this portion of the sack can be made more elastic than the end portion 131 so that the inside of the tube 58 is gripped more quickly. For example, as shown in broken lines at 131 in FIGURE 1, the bottom of wall portion 131 of the bag can be made somewhat thicker than the Wall part 140.

The insertion of empty tubes over the spindles from which full bobbin tubes have been removed may also be carried out in accordance with the present invention by the same gripping device which has served for the removing of the bobbin tube. In order to achieve a firm positioning or seating of the tube on the spindle, it is generally required to press the tube onto the spindle with a uniform force. This may be accomplished with the gripping device according to the present invention in conjunction with a suitable movement control of the support 54. For this purpose for example, the empty tube may initially be guided by means of the gripping element axially over the spindle and may then be dropped down onto the spindle by a release of pressure applied to the pressure element. Thereupon, the pressure element is inserted only partially into the end of the bobbin tube and is once again expanded so that the walls of the bag between the extreme end of the bobbin tube 58 and the surface defined by the collar 109 and plug 108 bulge outwardly about the end of the tube 58 and form an expanding surface which will symmetrically seat the empty tube onto the spindle. This action of the bag upon only partial insertion thereof into the end of the bobbin tube is illustrated in phantom line at 106' effects, in this connection, a uniform seating of each of the tubes upon the plurality of spindles provided on the spinning or twisting machine.

Alternatively, the insertion of the empty spindle tubes and proper seating thereof can be effected by dropping the tubes loosely over the spindles by releasing pressure in the gripping device and then lowering the gripping device in its deflated condition so that the collar 109 contacts the upper edge of the tube and serves as a means for firmly pressing the tube upon the spindle into a firmly seated position.

In order to transmit the pressure acting upon the end face of the bag as completely as possible to the upper spindle part, a rigid or at least partially rigid construction of the end wall of the axial pressure element 141 for transmitting the axial pressure may be provided and, respectively, a rigid disc not shown may be inserted into this wall to facilitate this operation.

As should be apparent from the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, modification within the skill of the ordinary worker in the art can be made with regard to specific structural details of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the means for supporting the elastic bag and providing pressure to the interior thereof may be other than that specifically disclosed. Therefore, while certain embodiments of the invention have been specifically disclosed, it is understood that the invention is not limited thereto as many variations may be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the invention is to be given its broadest possible interpretation within the terms of the following claims.

I claim: 1. A gripping device for the acquisition and release of bobbin tubes mounted on spindles of a textile machine such as spinning or twisting machines comprising:

at least one expandable pressure element supported in position for insertion into an end of said bobbin tube mounted on said spindle of said textile machine,

support means for supporting said pressure element and for selective movement thereof with respect to said bobbin tube and said spindle, and

supply means associated with said support means for selectively supplying pressure fluid to said pressure element.

2. A gripping device as defined in claim 1 wherein said pressure element includes a first portion producing pressure transverse to the axis of said pressure element upon application of pressure fluid thereto and a second portion producing pressure axially of said pressure element upon application of pressure fluid thereto.

3. A gripping device as defined in claim 2 wherein at least one of said first and second portions of said pressure element consists of a diaphragm-like wall member capable of expansion upon application of pressure thereto.

4. A gripping device as defined in claim 2 wherein said pressure element includes of an elongated elastic bag, the side Walls of which form said first portion and the end walls of which form said second portion and means connecting the interior of said bag to said supply means.

5. A gripping device as defined in claim 4 wherein the end wall of said bag is substantially cone-shaped.

6. A gripping device as defined in claim 4 wherein the end wall of said bag is thicker than the side walls thereof with said end wall and said side Wall 'being made of the same material.

7. A gripping device as defined in claim 4 wherein said pressure element further includes means for applying pressure to the end of said tube to fir-mly seat it upon a spindle.

8. A gripping device as defined in claim 7 wherein said means for applying pressure to the end of said tube is provided as a collar surrounding said elastic bag.

9. A gripping device as defined in claim 4 wherein the modulus of elasticity of said first portion is smaller than the modulus of elasticity of said second portion.

10. Method of operation of a gripping device for the acquisition and release of bobbin tubes mounted on spindles of textile machines such as spinning or twisting machines, said gripping device including an elastic bag capable of expansion upon application of pressure fluid to the interior thereof, said bag being dimensioned slightly smaller than the bore of said bobbin tubes, the steps for firmly seating the bobbin tube on said spindle comprising inserting said bag only partially into the bore of said tube,

applying pressure fluid to said bag until the bag expands outwardly beyond the edge of said tube, and

releasing the pressure fluid from said bag.

11. Method of operation of a gripping device for the acquisition and release of bobbin tubes mounted on spindles of a winding machine, said gripping device including an elastic bag capable of expansion upon application of pressure fiuid to the interior thereof, the side walls of said bag being more resilient than the end wall thereof, the steps for removing the bobbin tube from a spindle comprising inserting said bag completely into the bore of said tube until the end wall thereof is deformed inwardly by the spindle,

applying pressure fluid to said bag until the side walls thereof grip the bore of said tube,

applying additional pressure fluid to said bag until said end wall thereof expands against spindle to displace said tube relatively thereto, and

lifting said gripping device while retaining pressure in said bag.

12. A gripping device as defined in claim 1 wherein said pressure element includes an elongated elastic bag, the side walls of which form a portion producing pressure transverse to the axis of said pressure element upon application of pressure fluid thereto.

13. A gripping device as defined in claim 12 wherein said pressure element is a substantially cylindrical sacklike hollow element.

14. A gripping device for the acquisition and release of bobbin tubes mounted on spindles of a textile machine such as spinning or twisting machines comprising:

an expandable pressure element capable of being inserted into an end of a bobbin tube provided as a bag-like member having one open end, side walls and an end wall,

a plug member secured in a fluid-type manner to said bag-like pressure element to form a closure for the open end thereof and having a through-aperture for permitting the application of fluid pressure to the inside of said element,

the elasticity of the side walls of said pressure element being greater than the elasticity of the end wall thereof.

15. A gripping device as defined in claim 14 wherein the end wall of said pressure element is thicker than the side walls thereof with said end wall and said side walls being made of the same material.

16. A gripping device as defined in claim 14 wherein said plug member is provided with a radially extending collar.

References Cited UNETED STATES PATENTS 1,810,754 6/1931 Bnddecke 57-52 2,253, 38 8/1941 Jackson 242-l30 3,059,406 10/1962 Ingham 5752 WILLIAM S. BURDEN, Primary Examiner. 

